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Uncaged Review – Memories Made at Midnight by Collette Cameron

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Memories Made at Midnight
Collette Cameron
Historical Regency

A perilous journey ignites passion between an artist and an heiress
Cassius Westbrook, the youngest twin son of a duke, has no desire to bask in the societal privileges his birth affords him. Choosing the arduous path of an artist in Brighton over the complications of love and marriage, he dedicates his enthusiasm to his artwork instead of romance. However, his steadfast resolve falters when he is hired to paint a miniature for the enchanting Beatrice Fairfax. Her guardian uncle intends to use this portrait to secure a wealthy suitor for the orphaned heiress, a notion that Cassius finds detestable, yet he agrees to the commission.

Beatrice Fairfax, heiress to a modest fortune, is resolute in her decision never to marry. Scarred by her mother’s scandalous affair and her own disheartening encounters with men, she dedicates herself to an independent yet solitary future, expanding her animal rescue sanctuary and traveling the world. But her uncle harbors sinister designs on her fortune, determined to bend her to his will by any means necessary, including forcing her into an arranged marriage. His machinations lead Beatrice to seek Cassius’s aid, igniting a desperate flight from Brighton to London.

As these two people from opposite worlds journey together, their forced proximity fans the flames of an unexpected attraction, challenging both to navigate their feelings and reconsider their futures. Will they seize this chance, or will the shadows of their pasts and the dangers of the present keep them apart? Dive into their tumultuous tale and discover if love can indeed conquer all.

Uncaged Review: A great read by Collette Cameron, who never ceases to entertain. I was attached to the characters almost at once, with Beatrice living under the rule of her awful Uncle, waiting on the time she can get her inheritance. But her Uncle is scheming, and hires Cassius to paint a miniature so he can find her a husband. Cassius sees how Beatrice is treated, and during one of their sessions, she confides in Cassius about her inheritance. Cassius’ family has ties to the solicitors that Beatrice’s family uses, so he asks his family to look into it. That’s when the book takes a dangerous turn, when Cassius tells Beatrice the truth about her inheritance and Uncle.

There is plenty of danger, and two people who vowed not to love, find that they can’t stop their hearts. All Beatrice wants is to take care of her pets, and Cassius vows not to love again after being dumped in the past. But through all the danger, they find that love won’t stop, and they will need to fight their way to a HEA. And the epilogue is a great touch. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – A Time of End by Kathryn Le Veque

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

A Time of End
Kathryn Le Veque
Medieval Romance

Alexander de Sherrington, the man affectionately referred to as ‘Sherry’ by his friends, is off on the greatest adventure of his life… and his target is Lady Christin de Lohr.

Lovely and vivacious, Christin is as head-strong as her mother but born with her father’s innate sense of politics. She fostered in the finest homes and proved herself to be smart, intuitive, and calm under pressure. Unbeknownst to her father, William Marshal recruited Christin into his network of spies and even as she serves a de Lohr ally, the House of de Winter, as a lady in waiting for Lady de Winter, she completes missions at the Marshal’s directive.

Enter Alexander de Sherrington.

Uncaged Review: Kathryn Le Veque is a master at medieval romance and even though you can read these books as standalones, I tend to read series in order because of my attachment to the characters. As I get to know the main characters in each book, I’m also getting to know some of the secondary characters that will get their own story and the ones from previous books that come back as a supporting cast. This is something that attracts me to a series and keeps me coming back for more. This book centers on Sherry, one of the executioner knights that likes to work alone but could be one of the deadliest of the group and Christin, the eldest daughter of Christopher de Lohr. Unknown to Christopher, his daughter has been an agent for William Marshal for 2 years, and she is known as The Ghost.

This is probably one of the funniest books I’ve read from this author and there were a couple times I laughed out loud and I actually stayed up way past normal, having to get to the end. Action, danger and a corrupt King round out this group, along with the returning characters and Alexander de Sherrington and Christin will have to battle their way to their HEA in more ways than one, and it’s a great time getting there. This book deserves more than 5 Stars. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Rapper’s Groupie by T.M. Smith

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Rapper’s Groupie
T.M. Smith
Paranormal Romance

The Rapper
D Monz is a rap icon on two realms—Earth and Scath. When threatening hate mail pours in, the Firebrands send aid.

The Groupie
Celie isn’t really a groupie. She’s a witch warrior who gets off on the wrong foot with the rapper when she’s sent to protect him.

The Romance
Because of D’s family genetics, he requires more sex than most of his demon breed. The problem is simple. With the threats, outside help for his situation could be dangerous. So, if Celie wants to protect the rapper, she has a decision to make.

Uncaged Review: In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, front-man rapper extraordinaire and animus demon, D Monz would play to screaming crowds that loved his music. As D Monz went backstage to relax. D Monz used to enjoy the panty tossing and females wanting to sleep with him. No more D Monz couldn’t care less and is pretty tired of all that. When Firebrand witch, Celie Myers, becomes D Monz’s bodyguard, she loves his music but is not really star-struck by his glamorous music persona. D Monz might be living a charmed life, yet someone also wants him dead. D Monz keeps getting threatening letters to end his life. D Monz isn’t the least bit scared, but others in the band and even Celie are worried about him. Despite being a demon, someone could really end up hurting him. Celie’s goal and plan is to protect D Monz without falling for him by sleeping with him or die trying.

Book four in the Bood Coven Series and, of course, I am fully invested in the series after reading the first three. Out of all of them, this one is another one I just really can’t resist! This book could even have been a full-length story without any problems because of the mystery and suspense elements, but it works well as a short story too. Maybe if it was turned into a movie, it would not only be totally watchable but engaging enough to extend it if needed. The book still isn’t lacking for a rapid adventure and some dirty, sexy shenanigans that definitely made me smile. D Monz is your typical musician yet still manages to have a heart and Celie, the tougher than nails witch, is still likable too. Ms. T.M. Smith just knows how to make an interesting tale that will definitely keep me reading her stories no matter what they may be! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Holy Man’s Sinner by T.M. Smith

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Holy Man’s Sinner
T.M. Smith
Paranormal Romance

The Sinner
Elisabeta is a vampire party girl. But when the revolving-door males, the dangerous craving for blood, and the indiscriminate sexual encounters no longer make her happy, she looks for something more in life. What she finds is surprising.

The Holy Man
While in a sacred shrine, Elisabeta contemplates her future. She meets Nelo, the spiritual leader of the vampire breed, but he’s nothing like an Earther holy man. He likes his blood fresh and his sex hot.

They are an unlikely match.
From the moment Nelo sees Elisabeta, he is struck by her beauty and sympathetic with her desire to change her life.

But
Do opposites really attract?

Uncaged Review: In modern day Scath, female party-girl vampire, Elisabeta, was tired of her life. Elisabeta used to enjoy dancing in bars from Covenkirk to Stake House. Nothing would bring her happiness. So Elisabeta portals herself to Strigodierna Shrine. While Elisabeta sits there contemplating her messy life, she meets Nelo, a vampire Cruor monk. Nelo’s answer to Elisabeta’s woebegone state is hard work. So even though Elisabeta attempts to seduce Nelo, he tasks her with taking care of orphans. Nelo isn’t immune to Elisabeta’s charm either and passionately hungers for her as well. As Elisabeta slowly heals from her self-destructive behavior, she becomes closer to Nelo, but their love is not something that should have even taken place, especially when there is something that wants to come between them.

I just absolutely adore these quick, hotter than hot, steamy paranormal romances! Okay, yes, there isn’t much to them because they are so short. At least there is a charming little tale told exceptionally well in there, despite it being a novella! These stories are quick, dirty and fast but still leave you feeling wonderfully naughty, but in a good way! Will you need to read the other books in the series to understand what is going on? There is enough background though to understand what is going on. Just do not expect a lot of characterizations. It still is a complete book that will leave you remarkably satisfied. I think there is a lot more to both Elisabeta and Nelo, but it really doesn’t say. Do I miss a longer story? No, not really, because this had everything I love! An exceptional little story told quite well with incredibly flawed characters and panty-melting sex that is a bit forbidden yet oh so satisfying. I look forward to any book, whether it be a novel or a novella by Ms. T.M. Smith! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Starless by Kathryn Le Veque

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Starless
Kathryn Le Veque
Medieval Historical Romance

These Executioner Knights are in for a world of trouble…

Achilles de Dere is a stubborn knight prone to fighting – anywhere, anytime. If there is a punch to be thrown, it’s usually from Achilles. When he first met Susanna de Tiegh, the sparks flew – and not in a good way. Susanna, an accomplished warrior in her own right and an agent for William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, refused to take Achilles’ bullying behavior. Friends feared they would kill one another.

But an abject hatred of each other soon turned into something else.

Now, Susanna is all Achilles can think of, even as he goes about his duties for William Marshal. When Susanna discovers that her own brother is involved in a plot against the king, Achilles is sent to help her get to the bottom of the plot. Before he can get to the woman he calls “Sparks”, however, Susanna’s brother realizes she is on to him and sells her off to one of the crown’s greatest enemies to silence her.

Achilles is determined to help the woman warrior who started off as a thorn in his side, but has now become the very air he breathes. It’s a race against time to not only save Susanna, but to stop the plot that threatens to destroy the very fabric of England herself. As Achilles once said to Susanna, without her in his life, his days are wrought with misery and his nights are Starless…

Uncaged Review: This book focuses on the third of the Unholy Trinity, Achilles along with the warrior woman we met in Mountain Dark, Susanna. Susanna is a warrior herself, trained at the prestigious Blackchurch and also an agent for William Marshal, and when they first met, there was a lot of animosity between them, even to the point of them physically fighting. But after Susanna is wounded in a skirmish, Achilles dotes on her and takes care of her…and we see the tides changing in how he feels about her. This is not a drawn out love affair, within the first ¼ of the book, they are together. But Achilles and Alexander leave Susanna with her brother Samuel at his keep to heal and promises to return for her. But Susanna learns the dire truth of what has happened in the time she’s been away, and it’s not good.

This book is full of action, a great romance for the ages, and the danger that threatens not only Achilles and Susanna, but Samuel and Alexander as well. The meaning of the title is perfect for this book and the epilogue wraps it up beautifully.
Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Cruel Lessons by Randy Overbeck

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Cruel Lessons
Randy Overbeck
Mystery/Suspense

On a school camping trip, fifth graders experiment with a dangerous new hallucinogen and die in a horrific accident, their deaths shattering the quiet town. Assistant Superintendent Ken Parks, hoping to redeem a fatal mistake from his past, grasps the opportunity to conduct the district investigation of how students are getting the drugs. Almost before he begins, the cops make a stunning arrest. But Parks battles on, convinced the real pusher is still out there, poisoning more kids until he receives an anonymous threat: if he continues, those close to him will pay. Is Parks willing to risk those he loves for a chance at redemption?

Uncaged Review: This book starts out with the death of four middle grade students due to a hallucinogenic drug that comes in the form of a temporary tattoo on a sticker. Ken Parks is an assistant superintendent of the school district and is tasked to get to the bottom of the deaths to keep the school from taking a major hit.

This book is well written with many layers to this suspense and the author does a good job keeping the reader swaying one way, only to have that opinion thrown out later on with the unexpected plot twists. The story was a tad slow for me in spots but with enough suspects to keep me guessing, and at times I was way off in my guessing, which is unusual for me in a mystery. If you like good mysteries, this one will be worth a look. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Riptide by Antonia Church

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Riptide
Antonia Church
Contemporary Romance

Nevada Noble has left behind a boring boyfriend and a suffocating family in the midwest to start a new life in Florida. Trading snow boots for sunglasses and socks for flip-flops, Neve instantly falls in love with the surf and the sand.

Her promise to stay faithful to only her love affair with the beach is soon in jeopardy as the prodigal son of the seaside town returns. He’s sexy, smart, and single—with a hint of mystery surrounding his sudden return.

Neve realizes the vow of chastity she made along the shores isn’t strong enough to withstand the tidal pull of attraction. Her heart gets caught in a riptide.

Uncaged Review: This book would rival any soap opera or reality housewives show. Nevada moves from boring Iowa to a rich seaside town in Florida. This town has a few core families that are always at each other’s throats, but they also have a lot of secrets. Think of the old show Dynasty meets Knot’s Landing meets The Young and the Restless. And if a family member is shamed, they are sent to live in Old Mat, the slum side of town.

A lot of secrets are revealed, but a lot of new questions leave the reader at the end. This is a good summer romance read, with all the twists and turns this town and its people take, it will keep you guessing where everything is going. Neve seems to be in a bit of a pickle at the end of this, and does leave on a bit of a cliffhanger.
Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Trevor’s Redemption by Amber Daulton

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Trevor’s Redemption
Amber Daulton
Romantic Suspense

The danger and lies are more than she can handle.
Shea O’Bannon feels like a fifth wheel around her romantically paired-off friends, but there’s too much slime in the dating pool for her to bother with it. Then she sees her two-timing ex, Trevor Madero, serenading the mostly female crowd at a live-music bar. God knows trouble follows him around, but her desire for him rushes back in anyway. After he rescues her from a handsy drunk, temptation takes over.
Determined to prove he never stepped out on Shea, Trevor slides back into her life—and her heart—with forever in mind. Even with the wall he keeps up to protect her, his secret criminal life weighs heavy on his soul and drives a wedge between them.
When the truth comes out and his enemies target them both, they’ll have to fight for their love, or kiss it goodbye.

Uncaged Review: This book starts us off with Shea meeting a slimy co-worker for drinks, and in the meantime, sees her ex cheating boyfriend on stage. After ditching the slimeball, he tries to take advantage of her outside the club, and her ex, Trevor, comes to the rescue. There is still a lot of attraction between Trevor and Shea, and a lot of secrets. Trevor is going to have to come clean, and it will be up to Shea and how much she will be able to deal with about Trevor’s life.

This is a nicely paced story, with a second chance romance. I think that Trevor could have been a stronger character but the story and plot really get moving after the halfway point. Even though this book is part of a series, I had no issues keeping up with it. Reviewed by Cyrene


4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Forever Her Marquess by Scarlett Scott

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Forever Her Marquess
Scarlott Scott
Historical Regency

Lady Clementine Hammond may be polite society’s most notorious matchmaker, but she’s perfectly happy remaining unattached herself. A series of unfortunate missteps at a country house party, however, leaves her with no choice but to feign an engagement to the last man in all England she’d ever want to marry—the annoyingly handsome Marquess of Dorset.

Dorset needs a wife with a sizable dowry to save his estate, but thanks to Lady Clementine’s machinations, the woman he intended to wed became someone else’s wife. Much to his dismay, when fate inconveniently throws Lady Clementine into his arms, he’s forced to claim she’s his future bride.

The bitter enemies strike a reluctant understanding. One fortnight of false smiles and pretending to be head over heels for each other, followed by a return to London and the quiet ending of their betrothal. It should be quite simple.

Except, the more time Clementine and Dorset spend together, the more real their engagement feels. And when their mutual enmity heats into a surprising passion, Clementine is shocked to realize she wants far more from Dorset than two weeks. She wants his forever.

Uncaged Review: This is a fun historical regency, with the setting a house party. Lady Clementine fancies herself a matchmaker, having successfully seen to several matches. One of those matches took a lady away from the Marquess of Dorset, Ambrose – who is looking for a lady with a nice sized dowry. But fate intervenes for these two, and the two sworn enemies will need to come to an agreement and along the way they will find they don’t hate each other as much as they thought…

Bees going up dresses, teetering on library ladders, picking locks…all the fun is here. Ambrose is a charming rake and Lady Clementine is a strong woman, and between the two, there are some steamy moments and fun moments as they work toward their HEA. An easy, fun read from this series. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – West of Jaws by Capes

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

West of Jaws
Capes
Romantic Fantasy

“The only thing dumber than convincing the imminent Male Alpha of Velm to help me find Oko would be falling in love with him along the way.”

Helisent West of Jaws is a powerful witch with a penchant for combative shouting and hoarding brandy. Then there’s Samson 714 Afador, an uptight (possibly brooding) wolf who’s in line to lead Velm as its Male Alpha one day. When the pair meet in a seedy tavern in a city named Luz, it’s clear they have little in common.

Aside from a shared enemy named Oko.

Driven by private motives, the pair strike a deal to hunt down Oko—but trouble quickly follows. In the magical world of Mieira, wolves and witches share a gory past laden with conflict. Not even the peaceful, hedonistic nymphs have forgotten about the bloodshed of the War Years.

Despite this, what starts as a tense partnership between the witch and the wolf soon blossoms into something more—something layered with curiosity, and delight, and fear. Something that starts to involve a dangerous amount of trust.

As the pair close in on Oko, their discoveries begin to point to a single conclusion. One that will change life in Mieira forever. One that will force Helisent and Samson to ask—what’s worth more, finding Oko or fighting for each other?

Uncaged Review: This book takes you on a journey to a magical land called Miera. Here there are the nymphs, wolves and witches. The world building is decent although it took me awhile to get a good handle on it. The wolves and witches were at war during the War Years, but there has been a truce of sorts, however shaky that may be. Helisent is a powerful witch who strikes a deal with Samson, a wolf prince, to find someone called Oko.

This book was very slow to start, although it was interesting. But the book didn’t grab hold of me until the last part of the book. This is not an action-packed book, but it is interesting. The author does a good job with the plot and the romance, but there are some triggers that the author warns before the first chapter. The glossary in the back was a great touch and helps with the understanding of a lot of the book and the characters. Does end on a cliffhanger.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

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